Calculate how much it will cost to install solar panels for your home in Los Angeles
Our estimates used by
Solar power in Los Angeles, California
If you’re lucky enough to live in LA, installing solar can save you thousands on your electricity bills. With net metering and a large federal tax credit, solar is financially a no-brainer.
Solar panels installed in LA typically pay for themselves in under 7 years, making them a fantastic financial investment. After 7 years, your panels will generate free electricity for you for at least 18 years!
Angelenos are especially lucky when it comes to solar because they don’t have to worry about the changes coming to the net metering policies offered by investor-owned utilities like SCE, PG&E, and SDG&E. This means LA solar homeowners can send extra solar energy they generate to the utility company, LADWP, and get credited at the full retail rate of electricity.
However, future changes to California’s net metering could cause LADWP to reconsider how they bill solar customers. So, you should consider making the switch to solar before your utility gets the chance to cut your savings.
Here is a link to an LADWP video to help explain how your electricity bill will look after solar.
The average cost of installing residential solar panels in Los Angeles,
California in 2024 is
$2.72 per watt. The average system size
in the US is 6 kilowatts, which means the average price of a solar system
in Los Angeles, CA
is $13,600.
(after claiming 26% tax credit and other rebates)
The 26% federal solar tax credit explained
If you have a federal income tax liability, 26% of the cost of your solar system can be claimed as a deduction to your taxes. This incentive is claimed when you do your taxes. In order to receive the tax credit quicker it's best to do your taxes as soon as possible after installation.
What if my tax liability is less than 26% of my systems costThere is the option to claim this incentive over several years if your tax liability is less than 26% of the system cost.
How much will solar panels on my home save me?
The answer to this question depends on your electricity usage. Generally speaking the greater your power usage the greater the potential savings from installing solar.
The average monthly usage in California is only 573kWh per month however, you are most likely using a lot more than this since this average includes condos and small apartments.
The Los Angeles solar panel savings calculator below will convert your monthly power spend into power usage (in kWh's) and then work out exactly how many solar panels you need to offset your usage, how much they will cost based on the prices of local solar companies and the amount you will save. Our California solar savings calculator can do this because it contains a database of the electric rates charged by City of Azusa, City of Burbank Water and Power, City of Glendale, City of Pasadena, City of Vernon, LADWP (City of Los Angeles), Southern California Edison Co
How much can solar panels save you in Los Angeles
What does the cost of a real solar system look like?
Facts about installing a 11.78kW solar system in Los Angeles, CA
This system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill is $270, however your situation may vary so try our Los Angeles solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
$20,615
Net cost of system
5 Years 8 Months
Average payback time
17,802 kWh
Annual power production
5¢/kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
32¢/kWh
If you don't get solar
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of this 11.78kW system
Life-time savings on this system over the next 25 years
$114,431
(Prices shown after repayments of capital)
282
Solar companies in Los Angeles, CA that provide pricing through the Solar-Estimate marketplace.
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Los Angeles
| System Size |
Cash purchase After 30% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 30% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $6,069 | $6,555 |
| 4kw | $7,924 | $8,558 |
| 5kw | $9,730 | $10,508 |
| 6kw | $11,424 | $12,338 |
| 7kw | $13,083 | $14,130 |
| 8kw | $14,616 | $15,785 |
| 9kw | $16,128 | $17,418 |
| 10kw | $17,500 | $18,900 |
Find out what system size you need for your home
Going solar in California
Check out all of the ways energy providers of California can help you be more energy efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems | State | Property Tax Incentive |
| Net Billing (NEM 3.0) | State | Net Metering |
| Self-Generation Incentive Program | State | Battery Rebate |
| City of San Francisco - Low-Income Solar Inverter Replacement Program | City | Low-Income Program |
| LADWP - Net Metering | Utility | Net Metering |
| Disadvantaged Communities – Single-Family Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) program | Residential | Low-income solar program |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives are the solar installers who specialize in your area.
